Exercising stand



F. A. VOILES 2,226,881

EXERCISING STAND Filed April 24, ,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Dec. 31, 1940.

Dec. 31, 1940. F. A. VOILES EXERCISING STAND Filed April 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 31, 1940 ,QRU ITED' STATES mam-em;

2,226,881 EXERCISING STAND Frank A. Voiles, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 24, 1940, Serial No. 331,328

4 Claims.

A common and beneficial method of exercising consists in standing upright with the arms raised and stretched upwardly while swinging from sideto-side. Exercises of this nature tend to bring about a reduction in girth or waist measurement with perhaps a general improvement in stature and physique. Mechanical assistance in such method of exercising is useful in many cases and also serves to speed up the operation.

The object of the invention herein disclosed is to provide an improved machine for fulfilling the above-mentioned requirements.

With this end in view the structure provided consists of a platform for the user of the machine to stand on and, mounted in hearings on the platform is a vertically adjustable T-shaped construction which is motor-driven to oscillate on the upright or shank axis of the T. The arms of the T have grips at their ends which, when each is firmly gripped by the user of the machine, results in closing apair of series switches for controlling the operation of the motor.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows the exercising machine in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine which by dot-and-dash lines indicates the limits of movement of the oscillating T-grip element.

Fig. 3 is an end view in elevation showing in section the grip end of one of the arms of the T.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail in plan as indicated by the line 44 of Fig. 3 showing the operating connections between a motor and the oscillatory driven T-form.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section as indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing how the oscillating T is mounted.

Referring in detail to the drawings, platform I upon which the user of the machine stands is supported by short legs 2 to allow space beneath the platform for motor 3. A hollow vertical shaft 4 is supported for oscillation on its axis in bearings 5 and 6 carried by platform I. The bearing 6 is spaced upwardly from the platform by inclined standards 1 rigidly attached to the platform and to bearing 6. A collar 8 welded to the upper end of shaft 4 rests on bearing 6.

A tubular T-form 9 extends upwardly from shaft 4 and is slidable lengthwise of the shaft 4 for adjustment according to the reach of the person using the machine. Shaft 4 and T 9 are clamped together by means of a set screw i 0 carried by collar 8.

The T-element is bent into curved form as indicated in Figure 1 to bring arms ll of the T overhead when the user of the machine stands on the platform I in front of shaft 4. Generally the user stands with his back toward the oscillating shaft 4. i 5

A switch I2 is located at the outer end of each of arms ll. These switches are in series with a source of current and the windings of motor 3. The switches are operated by grip elements l3, as shown in Fig. 3. 10

The motor through reduction gearing in casing l4 rotates a shaft I5. This shaft has fast thereto a crank it for reciprocating a pitman H, the inner end of which has a swivel connection l8 with an arm 1 9 rigid with and extending laterally from shaft 4.

In the operation of the machine, whenever switches l2 are closed, the operation of the motor 3, through the pitman connection ll, results in oscillation of shaft 4, preferably about as indicated by the arrow 20. The normal motor speed with reduction gearing imparts an oscillation to shaft 4 at approximately 15v times per minute.

In the beginning, exercises should not be longer than five or ten minutes, until the muscles of the user have become more or less adjusted to the stretching operation.

I claim:

1. An exercising machine as described consisting of a platform having a bearing arranged to receive a shaft on a vertical axis, a shaft fitting said bearing, an extension for said shaft in Iongitudinally adjustable relation therewith, said extension having a pair of laterally extending arms, a motor, means operated by themotor for effecting relative oscillatory movement on 'the axis of the shaft betweenthe shaft and the platform, and a switch carried by one of said laterally extending arms for controlling the operation of the motor.

2. An exercising machine as described, comprising a platform, a motor secured to said platform, a vertical shaft journaled in the platform, a shaft extension in longitudinally adjustable relation' with the shaft, said extension having a pair of, laterally extending arms, a switch'located near the end of each arm, switch operating means at theends of the arms, amotor mounted upon the platform, circuit connections between the motor and said switches, and. means operated by the motor for imparting oscillatory movement of the shaft around its longitudinal axis.

3. An exercising machine of the class described, comprising a platform, a motor mounted upon said platform, a hollow shaft journaled in said platform for oscillatory movement around the longitudinal axis of the shaft, a drive connected between the motor and the shaft arranged for imparting oscillatory motion to the shaft, a tubular construction slidably adjustable along said hollow shaft and including laterally extending arms, a switch carried by each of the laterally extending arms of said tubular construction, grip elements on said arms for operating said switches, and circuit connections between the motor and the switches including the switches in series.

4. An exercising machine of the class described, comprising a platform, a motor mounted upon said platform, a hollow shaft journaled in said platform for oscillatory movement around the longitudinal axis of the shaft, a drive connection between the motor and the shaft arranged for imparting oscillatory motion to the shaft, a tubular construction slidably mounted within said shaft and including laterally extending arms, the vertical portion of said tubular construction being bent at its upper end away from the axis of the shaft, a switch carried by each of the laterally extending arms of said tubular construction, grip elements on said arms for operating said switches, and. circuit connections between the motor and the switches including the switches in series.

FRANK A. VOILES. 

